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Community Sector Shines in Queen’s Birthday HonoursMonday, 10th June 2013 at 12:14 pm

Australia’s community sector has shone in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours with more than half of the recipients honoured for their work and volunteering locally and overseas.

One of two top awards, the AC, has been presented to US Based philanthropist and educator, Professor Jill Kerr Conway.

The Citation says the honor is for her eminent service to the community, particularly women, as an author, academic and through leadership roles with corporations, foundations, universities and philanthropic groups.

Expatriate, Professor Conway has written over 20 books and articles on a range of topics including the history of women's work, the genre of memoir and the politics of women's education, feminism in history to the environment. She is a Trustee at a number of US Universities. (The second top award went to Adelaide-born and Britain-based professor of international law Prof. James Crawford.)

Some 582 Australians have received 2013 Order of Australia Awards and a further 199 have been given to people in the divisions of Public Service and the Military.

However, most honors went to those classified under ‘community’ (294) followed by sport (49) and the arts (45).

Dr Gabi Hollows, the wife of pioneering eye doctor Fred Hollows, has been recognised for her continuing work through the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Dr Hollows has been appointed an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public health as an advocate for the eradication of blindness, particularly for Indigenous Australians and people in the developing world.

Dr Simon Allen Longstaff was awarded an AM for distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.

Dr Longstaff has been the Executive Director of the St James’ Ethics Centre, since 1991, a Director/Leader of the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship, (1994-2007) and the Deputy Chair, Global Reporting Initiative, since 2009. He is a current fellow of the World Economic Forum.

The former Chief Executive, NSW Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC), John William Berryman received a gong for significant service to people with a disability and to the community.

Barrister David Galbally QC, was honoured for his significant service to the community, particularly through leadership in health organisations and the provision of pro bono legal services. He is also the President, Alzheimer's Australia Victoria.

A former Director, of the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), (2005-2011) Jill Lang has been honoured for significant service to the community and to the Not for Profit sector.

Lang was the Founding Chair of the Queensland Community Services Futures Forum and launched the 'Good Work, Decent Wages' Campaign in 2008 which highlighted the necessity to link quality service delivery to adequate remuneration for community service employees.

The QCOSS campaign garnered industry support for increased wages and government support for the provision of funding for the increases. This campaign ran parallel to The Services Union pay equity decision which was awarded by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in 2009.

As well, charity worker Keith Williamson was recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list after chalking up more than 60 loyal years of service to 200-year-old charity The Benevolent Society.

Benevolent Society CEO Anne Hollonds praised Keith, who works at The Benevolent Society’s offices in Paddington and Hurstville, for his award, and for his family’s ongoing support.

“Keith started working for The Benevolent Society in 1952, and his father Jack notched up 50 years with The Benevolent Society before him, so it’s quite a remarkable family story,” Hollonds said.

“Keith’s continued passion and dedication to the work of The Benevolent Society is immeasurable and we are delighted to congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.

“I got involved I suppose because I inherited Dad’s policy: if you can't do a good turn; don’t do one at all. And that’s always been my motto,” Keith said.

Volunteer Telephone Counsellor with Lifeline Sydney and Wesley Mission, for more than 25 years, Andrew Downie also received an award for service to the community, particularly through Lifeline.